Introducing a state of emergency in agriculture is not a solution to farmers’ problems, thinks Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea, who says farmers already have all the legal instruments needed to avoid penalties and foreclosures.
According to the minister, farmers unable to pay their debts to banks or fertilizer suppliers need to personally go to them and explain their situation.
“The Moldovan legislation already provides all the instruments that a farmer can use to suspend all penalties for late payments and foreclosures. I mean, you make your report, with that report you go to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber of Commerce gives you a force majeure certificate, after which you have to go and talk to each creditor individually. There is no country where things would be different. These are bilateral commercial relations. Someone misled some farmers by telling them that such an ephemeral situation could set up a way where no one asks you anything. But there is no such thing. Each case is individual. You have to go and talk to the people you owe money to, and you have to explain to them how you are going to pay them back”, Bolea told a program on RliveTV.
According to the minister, obtaining a force majeure certificate is the only legal way that can solve the problems of indebted farmers. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture already promised 100 million lei to bail out farmers affected by the drought.
“You put all your cards on the table, have clear discussions with your creditors and make a plan to get out of the situation you’re in. Legal solutions around the globe are as I say. Regarding the promised 100 million lei, we will decide (the distribution procedure) together with the relevant associations in a transparent and calm manner. We need to thank the taxpayers of Moldova for these 100 million and we have to make a careful analysis how to stop making losses”, said the minister.
Earlier, threatening with protests, farmers asked the authorities to introduce a state of emergency in agriculture and a moratorium on late-payment penalties and foreclosures.
